[Tutorial -> Trick] Link checking using JavaScript (ny myself)

RohanShenoy · #1 Nov 8th, 2007, 07:09

This a tutorial as well as a trick to check if files exists! You can call it a link checking tool

Even this is writtem by myself http://javascript.biologyformhtcet.c...avascript.html

Quote:

Check if file exists or not using JavaScript

This is particularly helpful if you are setting up your website and want to make sure that all the necessary files exist. This checking can be done most conveniently on 'localhost' machine. Checking files on a remote server is also possible if appropriate changes are made to the script. I personally prefer that you use Opera browser to increase productivity.

Step 1: Create custom error page 404(file not found). Tutorials for the same can be found here and here.
Inside custom error page for Error 404, insert the below code:

Code: Select all

 
<script>
window.close()
</script>

Step 2: copy the below code AS IT IS into a blank text file and save that file with as check_file_exists_or_not.html extension:

Code: Select all

<html>
<head>
<script>
function check()
{
fileName=prompt("Enter only file name here,Eg: index.html or contact_form.php,\n127.0.0.1/filename","")
{
window.open("<A href="http://127.0.0.1/"+fileName">http://127.0.0.1/"+fileName+"")
}
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<input type="button" value="Check URL" onclick="check()">
</body>
</html>

Step 3: Put this newly created into www folder.
Step 4: Start the server
Step 5: Request the page by typing the following in address bar: 127.0.0.1/check_file_exists_or_not.html . The page would load as show below:

Note: If you have saved the file with other name and/or to other directory, you will need to type in the URL accordingly.
Step 6: Click on 'Check URL'

Enter the file name at the prompt box. Be sure to enter the proper extension as well (Eg: .html or .php or .cgi). If you want to check a file that lies in sub directory, then enter relative path to that accordingly
Eg: images/buttons/roundbutton.gif is the relative path to image file named 'roundbutton.gif' which is located in buttons folder. buttons folder is located inside images folder, and images is located inside the main directory
Once you enter the filename, click OK.A new tab would open if the page existed(i.e. link is working). If the new tab opens but closes immediately and you automatically return to the 'Check URL' page, it means link is not working properly.

Rationale behind this trick:
Page exists ---> Page loads ---> Page exists (to close that page quickly and return to 'Check URL' page hit Ctrl+W)
Page does NOT exist ---> Custom error page loads ---> Custom error page closes its window due to window.close() snippet ---> and you return to the Check URL page

( In Internet Explorer, every time the custom error page tries to close it self, it would ask for confirmation whether to allow the page or not to close itself and this would take a toll on time )

Note: I am working on enhancing this script to check existence multiple files simultaneously. Perhaps, you could just enter all files names at once and then hit the go button! Keep your fingers crossed!

MikeHopley · #2 Nov 8th, 2007, 08:48

How is this useful? I don't see how it's better than simply typing the file path in the address bar.

Why not use an efficient link checking tool instead, such as Link Checker for Firefox? It quickly tests all links on a page, and then colour-codes them according to their status (basically, broken links are red and good links are green).

RohanShenoy · #3 Nov 8th, 2007, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHopley

How is this useful? I don't see how it's better than simply typing the file path in the address bar.

Why not use an efficient link checking tool instead, such as Link Checker for Firefox? It quickly tests all links on a page, and then colour-codes them according to their status (basically, broken links are red and good links are green).

^Ya, I realize that, but I am having something else in ma mind, not simply file existance cheking!

MikeHopley · #4 Nov 8th, 2007, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by RohanShenoy

^Ya, I realize that, but I am having something else in ma mind, not simply file existance cheking!

Oooooh, how enigmatic.

Perhaps you should share what you have in mind. That way, people might find a reason for using your method.

karinne · #5 Nov 8th, 2007, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHopley

Why not use an efficient link checking tool instead, such as Link Checker for Firefox?

ah! Thanks for that link Mike

There's also the Link checker provided by the W3C.

MikeHopley · #6 Nov 8th, 2007, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by karinne

ah! Thanks for that link Mike

There's also the Link checker provided by the W3C.

One word of warning: last time I tried, the Firefox Link Checker conflicts with another extension, Word Count. You can't have them both running (correctly) at the same time.

karinne · #7 Nov 8th, 2007, 12:21

Thanks for the warning ... fortunately, I don't have Word Count extension

RohanShenoy · #8 Nov 8th, 2007, 12:52

I had this in my mind.
Many times, webmasters have a lot of files and sometimes, they may forget to create one file ot may have not named it properly or some other error. What I want this to do is tell the names of non-existent files. Even i am seeing no method now to use a list, but still thinking.

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[Tutorial -> Trick] Link checking using JavaScript (ny myself)